Exact replica of Holy Icon of Cincture of the Panaghia Translated from Mount Athos to western Thessaloniki parish of St. Polycarpos

The parish of St. Polycarpos in western Thessaloniki, as of yesterday, enjoys and the blessing and intercession of the Holy Icon of the Cincture of the Panaghia, the All-Holy Virgin Mary, as an exact replica of the wonder-working icon was Translated this week from the Holy & Great Monastery of Vatopedi.
Dozens of faithful and clergy welcomed the arrival of the exact replica of the Holy Icon, conveyed by Archimandrite Panteleimon Anastasiadis, with the patristic blessing of the Abbot of the venerable Mount Athos monastery, the Elder Archimandrite Ephraim. The Holy Icon was received in a solemn and reverent procession by the resident Metropolitan of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, His Eminence Barnabas.

A con-celebratory Vesper was held afterwards at the celebrating Cathedral of St. Polycarpos, on the occasion of the feast day of the Saint.